Black Bart

Written by Shan Gilbreath

Verse 1

In the hills of old California, where the sun sets golden bright,
There rode a man named Black Bart, slipping through the night.
Born with humble beginnings, just a boy with dreams to chase,
But fate dealt him a twisted hand, led him to a darker place.

Chorus

Black Bart, oh Black Bart, what made you turn so cold?
Was it the weight of broken dreams, those stories left untold?
You roamed those lonely trails, with your heart as dark as coal,
Black Bart, oh Black Bart, a legend born of woe.

Verse 2

They say he was a family man, with a wife and children dear,
When fortune turned its back on him, he shed his final tear.
Banks took all he had, left him with a bitter taste,
So he took to robbin’ stages, leavin’ sorrow in his wake.

Chorus

Black Bart, oh Black Bart, what led you down this road?
Was it the hunger for revenge, or debts that you owed?
Faced the law with guns drawn, a desperado bold,
Black Bart, oh Black Bart, your story’s often told.

Verse 3

Through the dust of dusty towns, whispers in the wind,
Black Bart’s name would echo, of a man who’d never bend.
But beneath that outlaw’s mask, was a heart that once did yearn,
For a life of simple pleasures, a lesson hard to learn.

Verse 4

Now Black Bart’s just a memory, a tale of days gone by,
In the heart of those who knew him, there’s a tear in every eye.
He wasn’t just a bandit, but a soul who lost his way,
And in the ballads of the west, his legacy was made.

Chorus

Black Bart, oh Black Bart, your story’s bittersweet,
Lost innocence in a world, a world of deceit.
May your spirit find its peace now, in the vast beyond’s retreat,
Black Bart, oh Black Bart, may redemption be your seat.

Outro

Black Bart, oh Black Bart, echo in the night,
Black Bart, oh Black Bart, ridin’ out of sight.
Black Bart, oh Black Bart, your legend carries on,
Black Bart, oh Black Bart, forever you belong.

© 2025 Shan Gilbreath / Red Lake Renegades. All Rights Reserved.